minpinmom

I cant believe it myself! The first week, on liquids, I only lost 3lbs, the rest has been in the past 2 weeks and I am actually eating, getting full and staying full. I can't believe this really works (for me). I was so scared I would be one of the ones it doesn't work for.

Cool, I didn't realize there were 2 different ones that were 4CC - so I looked at my documentation and I have the 9.75 Inamed. Thanks for the clarification. Oh, and right now, I have 1.6 in mine (had my first fill on Monday)

I have an Inamed 4CC. He doesn't decide what he is going to put in until he is in the surgery and sees the size of your stomach. He said most women have small stomachs and he uses the smallest band. Even with mine empty, it was already "tight" because it was smaller (to my understanding). I asked him about the different sizes and everything, he smiled and said not to worry, he can get me as restricted as I want with any of the bands. (one of the girls I met at my Dr.s office, has the 4CC band, and had like 1.2 put in and she was completely stopped, couldn't drink or anything) Her perfect fill was .something.

I love Lane Bryant - I NEVER buy anything at full price, I ONLY shop on their Clearance racks. I worked their ages ago - and we HAD to buy/wear their clothes. We got 30% off, but dang. Some of the LB stores have suits (Kasper and such), I trained for 6 weeks downtown Houston at one, and we were having a Suit sale - we were required to wear the suits (for that season) every day - They were 200+ each. That bit bad. I also love their lingerie section.

lol, my hubby doesn't snore and ALWAYS wears earplugs. When he told me I couldn't believe it - I thought I would have to loose a LOT more weight to see anything like that happen. To tell you the truth, if I didn't loose another pound, the surgery would be worth me not snoring. I really had a hard time dealing with that. (I would stay awake at other people's homes because I didn't want to chance them hear me snore) No one knew just how deep the embarrassment was - I feel like a HUGE weight has been lifted!

I snore no more! I can't believe it. I had SEVERE sleep apnea and had surgery to correct it back in ~1994. It was a wonderful success, however, about 2 years ago, I was battling Strep throat and Bronchitis and was SUPER sick for about 2 weeks. I started grinding my teeth, talking in my sleep and snoring. When I got better, the talking and grinding stopped, but the snoring continued. I hate to snore, it is so embarrassing. However, my husband told me that I haven't snored in a WEEK! Can I get a hoorah!

I have tried a ton of them and always fall back to the SlimFast shakes. BUT, I put the entire can in the blender (Magic Bullet), add 3-4 cubes of ice and either a tad of the Hazelnut sugar free syrup or All Natural Peanut Butter. Makes them have a totally different consistency and spices up the flavor.

It is going to be over before you know it! I will send out a special prayer for you tonight!

I screamed it from the roof-tops and I am so glad I did. I have had prayers and wonderful thoughts from everyone. If I were going to hide it, I would do it well before. Use the "having gallbladder removed" story - supposedly the incisions are in the right place for it. Then I would talk about how you are so determined to loose weight - and are starting a diet! I could never keep it from my co-workers, but we are all so close. They are all skinny and beautiful - however, they have asked if they can give my number/email to family members/friends of theirs that have been looking into the surgery. Good luck!

I can take pills that are this size or smaller O If they are bigger than that, I cut them into smaller sizes. I haven't had any problems (but I have only had 1 fill. Anyone have any suggestions on whether or not to take on full/empty stomach, with lots of liquid, warm liquid, etc.?

That is what I am hoping for, I haven't started putting anything on them yet. I have some Vitamin E oil, but the nurse told me not to use it until it was completely healed over, and there is still a little scab on the big one.

Here are the stages of my scars - check out how swollen my abdomen was - I didn't really realize it until I saw the pictures.

Thank you! :-)

Here are the stages of my scars - check out how swollen my abdomen was - I didn't really realize it until I saw the pictures.

I am only on liquids - but I do feel full after drinking about 1/2 a sllimfast. But man, I would kill for some real food! (sorry, sometimes my head starts taking and I can't shut her up). I will try to post my scars, I posted them, but it only showed the links, not the pictures so I deleted it, I will try again. They are getting smaller and smaller every day. It really does look like they are shrinking. :-)

I can tell you this, we would love to have you in Min Pin Rescue! We end up not being able to rescue dogs because we don't have enough Foster Homes. You would be PERFECT! Rescuing is the toughest job I have ever done - other than Fostering. :-) MinPinRescue I hope you know that you may have given that dog the only chance at a vet and heartworm treatment he has ever had.

My Dr.s has me on clear liquids for 3 days (clear + SlimFast) you may want to call your Dr. Mine would FREAK OUT if I had full liquids right after.

So let me set the stage. My hubbs and I are sitting in the waiting room, excited that our Godson is being born later that day (by planned C-Section). The nurse calls me up and says - "Okay Wendy, you will have a $12.00 copay for today's fill and here is your paperwork for your fill." I smile and say, I am not here for a fill, just a follow up. (uhm, duh, this is just a follow up). She smiles back and says, "Yes, you are getting your first fill today - they didn't tell you that when they rescheduled you?" Thinking back - I remember Dr. Spiegel saying something about we will talk fills next time. I thought he meant we will TALK fills next time, not DO a freakin fill next time. Bravely, I shake my head and say, oh darn, I drank a SlimFast this morning, she smiles and says, "No Problem, you can have liquids today" So, I pay, look at the hubs, with that deer in the headlights look - he smiles and asks if I want him to go back with me. Now, I do, but I say no, because with any babying, I will get worse, crying and pouting and planning an escape route. So I decline his offer and I take the long walk to the seminar waiting room. My name is called, my hands start sweating, the nurse takes me back weighs me and sends me back out to wait. Sigh of relief. Maybe I can think of an escape out of this crazy scheme they have here. About this time a breath of fresh air walks in. Her name is Stefani - it was her first fill too. She is just as outgoing and outspoken as I am. We sat and laughed about our fears and thoughts about the dreaded first fill. Time flew and they called me back. Damnit! I forgot about my escape plan. I had nothing. I had to go in. I sat in the room for a few minutes, as quiet as I could, awaiting the screams I was sure to hear coming from the other rooms. I heard the patient talking with Dr. Spiegel and laughing - oh well, she must be here for her first initial visit! Dr. Spiegel entered the room, smiled his "no worries" smile and shook my hand. All I could say is "I am really nervous, I hate needles" He put his hand on my shoulder and said "don't worry, this won't hurt." They laid me back (by this time, there was Dr. Spiegel, another Dr., and his nurse in the room). He was explaining the procedure to the other Dr. (he is in training I presume). He said that he always uses the smallest needle - he felt of my port, and inserted the needle - it really didn't hurt. Even less than a regular shot. However, he couldn't reach my port. He said, "Wendy, your port is very deep - I can do 1 of 2 things. I can pull the needle out and use a larger needle, or I can press on your abdomen, and get the needle down into the port." The chicken in me said, For the Love of God, PLEASE don't take the needle out! So he pressed (very hard) I wasn't looking, but the needle burned a bit when he was pressing, then he said ok, there it is, inserted 1.6 and pulled the needle out. They sat me up, asked me if I was ok - I, knowing it was over, was very ok. I returned to the waiting room and announced to the not-so-interested crowd that I had survived my first fill! Stefani came out shortly after and she survived as well. I guess a fill can't kill. :-) I am on liquids for 3 days, then mushy foods for 4 days. If I am still hungry, he will do another fill in 2 weeks!

I just had my first fill today :-) Tomorrow will be my 3rd week being banded :-) My Dr. is aggressive with fills, we have our first fill 3-4 weeks out. If I am hungry or eating too much, I go back in two weeks. However, he makes you go back on liquids for 3 days, then mushies for 4 days. The fill took about 3 minutes, but I had to wait for about 30 minutes before I saw the Dr. and then he makes you drink an entire bottle of water before you can leave. So I was there for quite sometime.

I had surgery on a Tuesday (had to stay overnight due to insurance), but once I was released, we went home, I got bored so we went to Frys Electronics and rebuilt our home computer. I say the sooner you get out the BETTER! Also, I started back to work late on Thursday. Keep moving or you will get stiff and achy.

I was banded by Spiegel in Houston (I live in Conroe) I know just about everybody in my OBGYNs office in The Woodlands have been banded and they raved about Collier - I think he is in The Woodlands or Conroe.

They are all good but the iced Tea flavored one - that one, I could do without. I also like the Crystal light Fruit punch (taste a lot like the Gatorade mentioned above.) But alas, no Protein in it.

I had surgery on Feb 19th. The long part was getting my Dr.s office to submit everything - once it got to Tricare, I was approved same day. :-) It will go fast, the wait is the hardest part.

Awesome, I am South too, Here is the link. (Each area has their own website) You will need to create an account to access everything - I think you need yours and sponsors ss#, etc. Once you have created it, log in, (make sure to change the drop down box to Beneficiary Services), then choose: Online Referral/Authorization Status. Good Luck! Humana Military

Popsicles is the only thing I could think of. My Dr. says they are considered clear liquid (I guess if they weren't frozen, they would be clear.